Hunt goes on for mother of baby found outside Leeds church

Detective Chief Inspector Nicola Bryar pictured with a bag similar to the one baby 'Peter' was found in.
Picture : Jonathan Gawthorpe

Published:17:37Monday 22 May 2017

Detectives have re-appealed for information six months on from the discovery of a newborn baby boy inside a Tesco Bag for Life near a Leeds vicarage.

Baby ‘Peter’ was found wrapped in a towel and shirt near the vicarage doorstep of St Peter’s Church, Bramley on November 23 by the vicar.

He was later sadly pronounced dead at Leeds General Infirmary yet, despite extensive inquiries, police have still to identify his mother.

Det Ch Insp Nicola Bryar, who is leading the investigation, said: “Although six months have now passed since the discovery of Baby Peter, we remain just as concerned for the welfare of his mother as we were on the first day. We are still doing everything we can to identify her and ensure she gets the help and support she needs.

“We recognise that many people in the community have been touched by this incident, and their genuine concerns were so positively illustrated by all those who rallied round to donate money for any funeral costs following an appeal by a member of the community.

“We are convinced that the answer as to who is Peter’s mum is still out there, and we continue to ask people to consider carefully the elements we have appealed around before - the Tesco bag for life, the Dunnes 15-inch collar white men’s shirt and the blue striped towel that Peter was wrapped in. Does anyone still have suspicions about someone they know and recognise those items from this person’s life?

“We have a DNA profile of the mother and can easily eliminate anyone put forward if it is not them, so people shouldn’t be worried about suggesting someone they concerns about.

“Our absolute priority remains the welfare of the mother of this baby boy and we will continue to all we can to find her and give her the help she will clearly still need.”

A crowdfunding appeal to raise money for a headstone for the baby raised £2,025 in December, surpassing its surpassed its target of £1,500. But while the police investigation is still ongoing, the body of baby Peter has not yet been released.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police via 101 quoting log number 354 of November 23, 2017.